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| HEALTH
- Stages of pregnancy |
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There are three stages of pregnancy;
the weeks are grouped into three trims, called trimesters.
Each trimester is three months.
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The First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)
The first prenatal visit is the most important step.
A complete medical history is taken, a physical examination
is conducted, as well as certain tests and procedures
are performed to assess maternal and paternal family
medical history, personal gynecological and obstetrical
history, the Rh factor and the initial health of the
mother and the embryo. Also conduct the laboratory tests
which includes urine tests (to screen for bacteria,
sugar, and protein) and routine and other blood tests
(to determine blood type) blood screening tests - to
detect diseases (i.e., rubella, also called German measles)
etc.
Pelvic examination is also important to asses the size
and shape of your uterus (womb) and a Pap smear to check
for abnormalities of the cervix (the opening of the
uterus).
Maintain a moderate body temperature during pregnancy
(especially during first trimester) is important and
it may prevent birth defects.
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• The Second Trimester (Weeks 13-27)
This is usually the time when mothers feel their best.
During the second trimester, your baby grows very rapidly,
and his arms and legs become well-developed and strong.
You may notice these well-developed limbs in the form
of kicks coming from inside your uterus.
By the end of the second trimester, the baby is almost
fully formed but the lungs need to develop further and
the baby needs to put on more fat and weight before
delivery day.
During the second trimester, in each monthly visit the
doctor usually checks your blood pressure and weight
and you will leave a urine specimen. Your physician
can hear your baby's heartbeat and
measure your abdomen to ensure your baby is growing
appropriately. Most women get a comprehensive ultrasound
around Week 20 and can find out the gender of your baby
during this visit. (It is not 100% accurate in determining
gender. The sex identification from the fetus
is not permitted in India and it is an offense and both
the patient and the doctor can be prosecuted)
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• The
Third Trimester (Weeks 28-42)
During the third trimester, both the mother's body
and fetus continue to grow and change. The mother
may feel more uncomfortable now as she continues to
gain weight and begins to have false labor contractions
(called Braxton-Hicks contractions).
Your physician may check the following, depending
on your current medical condition and the health of
the fetus:
• mother's weight
• mother's blood pressure
• urine test - to detect albumin (a protein)
which may indicate preeclampsia (Preeclampsia is the
most common complication of pregnancy and a condition
in pregnancy characterized by a sharp rise in blood
pressure, leakage of large amounts of the protein
albumin into the urine and swelling of the hands,
feet, and face). or toxemia, and sugar
• position, growth and development of the fetus
• height of the top of the uterus
• fetus heart beat
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